Web-based instruction on substance abuse and drug diversion

First professional year student Pharmacists' approaches to resolving drug diversion incidents in a community pharmacy simulation

INTRODUCTION

Drug diversion, the illegal movement or misuse of controlled substances, is a significant public health concern. Pharmacists are crucial in preventing and managing drug diversion but may lack adequate training and confidence in addressing these incidents. This study aimed to evaluate first-year pharmacy students' approaches to resolving drug diversion scenarios using Kings' six models of criminal justice: Medical, Bureaucratic, Status Passage, Power, Due Process, and Crime Control models.

METHODS

A skills-based role-playing activity was conducted from 2022 to 2024, where students confronted both internal (technician diverting medication) and external (patient with problematic prescriptions) diversion cases. A deductive thematic analysis using a convergent mixed methods approach was completed using reflections from the activity.

RESULTS

Reflections from 327 students were thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive method, revealing the Bureaucratic model as the most common approach, followed by the Medical, Due Process, Status Passage, and Crime Control models. A "passive approach" theme also emerged, reflecting avoidance of conflict.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights discrepancies between students' public expressions and private reflections, suggesting discordance between societal expectations and personal beliefs in handling drug diversion. The findings suggest a need for enhanced educational strategies to equip future pharmacists with effective approaches to managing drug diversion in practice.

Prevention of drug diversion and substance use disorders among anesthesiologists: a narrative review

Diversion of substances from the care of the intended patient is a significant problem in healthcare. Patients are harmed by the undertreatment of pain and suffering, transmission of disease, as well as the risk associated with impaired vigilance. Healthcare providers may be harmed by the physical and mental impact of their addictions. Healthcare systems are placed in jeopardy by the legal impact associated with illegal routes of drug release including sanction and financial liability and loss of public trust. Healthcare institutions have implemented many measures to reduce diversion from the perioperative area. These efforts include education, medical record surveillance, automated medication dispensing systems, urine drug testing, substance waste management systems, and drug diversion prevention teams. This narrative review evaluates strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness of these systems and provides recommendations for leaders and care providers.

Effectiveness of a Web-Based Intervention for Preventing Substance Use in Young Adults in Taiwan: Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND

Substance use has been one of the most alarming public health problems worldwide, particularly among younger generations.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a web-based substance use prevention intervention targeted at adults aged 20-29 years.

METHODS

The intervention materials comprised 5 sets of infographics and 1 animation, all of which focused on mixed themes: (1) the concept of substance use and its harmful effects on health; (2) misinformation regarding new psychoactive substances; (3) regulation of illicit drugs, particularly marijuana; (4) the brain disease model of addiction; (5) critical thinking skills that improve health literacy; and (6) decision-making and communication skills that help people refuse illegal drugs. The study assigned eligible participants into experimental and control groups on the basis of the parity of their participant numbers. These participants completed web-based baseline and follow-up questionnaires that assessed their knowledge, behavioral intention, self-efficacy, and life skills related to substance use prevention. Knowledge was assessed using 8 questions concerning understanding of substance use harms and the regulation of illicit drugs. Behavioral intention and self-efficacy were assessed using 5-point Likert-type scales. Participants' ability to apply life skills to avoid substance use was assessed using 3 testing scenarios regarding substance use. The study used generalized estimating equations to examine the intervention's effectiveness.

RESULTS

A total of 1065 participants (539 control and 526 experimental) completed the intervention and questionnaires in 2019. The average ages of the experimental and control groups were 25.68 (SD 2.71) and 25.66 (SD 2.69) years, respectively. The study observed no significant differences in the demographic variables between the 2 groups. The results of the generalized estimating equation analyses indicated that the intervention significantly improved participants' knowledge (P<.001), behavioral intention (P<.001), and self-efficacy (P<.001) but not their life skills (P=.61) related to substance use prevention. Participants in the experimental group responded to a satisfaction survey with positive feedback on the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The web-based intervention was effective in improving participants' knowledge, behavioral intention, and self-efficacy concerning substance use prevention. The findings support continued efforts to use web-based interventions to prevent substance use among young adults.

Identifying Opportunities for Impact of Community-Based Pharmacist-Led Biometric Health Screenings on ASCVD Risk

Introduction

Community-based pharmacists are positioned uniquely to assist in the early detection of underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) which affects approximately 50% of adults in the United States. Organizations utilize community-based pharmacists to conduct annual biometric health screenings to help employees identify health risks previously undetected. The goal of this study was to evaluate how community-based pharmacists could impact lifetime atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk for a large population.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of annual pharmacist-led 15-minute biometric health screening data from a large regional community-based pharmacy chain. Employees between the ages of 20 and 79 who had completed at least three biometric health screenings between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2020 were included. Incomplete biometric health screening records were excluded. To calculate lifetime ASCVD risk and identify perceived gaps in care, prescription fill history of study participants was used. The pharmacists did not make clinical interventions; however, education was provided with the information found.

Results

A total of 10,001 patients were included. Median baseline ASCVD risk was 1.5% and increased to 1.8% (p < 0.001). Additionally, 1,187 patients with an elevated ASCVD risk ≥ 7.5%, showed statistically significant improvements in blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol.

Conclusions

Improvements for high-risk patients were seen in several biometric health screening parameters including blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol. Community-based pharmacists were well positioned to intervene clinically to support reduction of ASCVD life-time risk.

Internet-Based Learning for Professionals in Addiction Psychiatry: A Scoping Review

Background and Aim

Distance learning techniques are gaining popularity as the internet today is a faster and more convenient source of spreading exhaustive information. We aim at conducting a scoping review on the utility of internet-based learning in addiction psychiatry.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane using the following keywords: Distance education, substance related disorder, teaching, internet, along with the MeSH terms ("Internet" AND "Teaching" AND "Substance Related Disorders") OR ("Distance Education" AND "Substance Related Disorders"). The reference lists of articles were searched for other relevant literature.

Results

A total of 34 studies were included. Most of the courses offered online were on specific therapies, for example, training on motivational interviewing, twelve-step facilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, alcohol screening, and brief intervention. They were based on various aspects of distance learning such as the acquisition of knowledge or skills, feasibility, level of satisfaction of the trainees/students, the cost-effectiveness of the techniques, and the type of trainees who have access to the course. The majority of the studies showed positive findings in terms of the parameter being studied. However, the level of satisfaction among the students is questionable.

Conclusion

Internet-based teaching programs provide a good alternative to traditional educational methods in terms of effectiveness, feasibility, and acquisition of knowledge and skills. We emphasize the use of internet-based training in addiction psychiatry reinforced by actual practical experiences.

Effectiveness of educational technology to improve patient care in pharmacy curricula

A review of the literature on the effectiveness of educational technologies to teach patient care skills to pharmacy students was conducted. Nineteen articles met inclusion criteria for the review. Seven of the articles included computer-aided instruction, 4 utilized human-patient simulation, 1 used both computer-aided instruction and human-patient simulation, and 7 utilized virtual patients. Educational technology was employed with more than 2700 students at 12 colleges and schools of pharmacy in courses including pharmacotherapeutics, skills and patient care laboratories, drug diversion, and advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) orientation. Students who learned by means of human-patient simulation and virtual patients reported enjoying the learning activity, whereas the results with computer-aided instruction were mixed. Moreover, the effect on learning was significant in the human-patient simulation and virtual patient studies, while conflicting data emerged on the effectiveness of computer-aided instruction.

FDA Drug Safety Podcasts: resources for drug information

OBJECTIVE

To describe a Web-based drug information service provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase the reach of Drug Safety Communications to pharmacists and other health professionals.

SETTING

The Division of Drug Information (DDI) within the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Communications, Silver Spring, MD, between January 2010 and April 2012.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

DDI provides drug information services regarding human drug products and expert advice and guidance on all aspects of CDER activities. Customers include consumers, health professionals, regulated industry, insurance companies, academia, law enforcement, and other government agencies (national and international).

PRACTICE INNOVATION

Use of audio podcasts to disseminate timely drug safety information targeted toward pharmacists and other health professionals. RESULTS Since 2010, DDI has recorded and published 119 FDA Drug Safety Podcasts that have reached more than 620,000 individuals.

CONCLUSION

FDA Drug Safety Podcasts serve as portable and convenient options for pharmacists to stay current on the latest drug safety information. Pharmacists are encouraged to explore incorporating Web-based technologies, such as audio podcasts, into their practices.